Chapter 375 The Battle of Onigashima Begins
"Kaido-san!"
The Beasts Pirates' stronghold—the island this nation's people fearfully called the demon's lair—Onigashima. After its previous destruction, it had been rebuilt.
The man whose entire body was wrapped in black leather clothing, leather pants, and a mask walked briskly to the room of this nation's true ruler—Kaido of the Beasts.
He knocked on the door, saying in a deep voice, "Someone's spotted a massive force heading toward Habu Port."
"Seems to be the guys we've been searching for."
Heavy footsteps sounded behind the door. Then the door was violently ripped off. A monster poked his head out from behind.
"Worororororo! Isn't this interesting?"
Kaido's face still bore the drowsiness of drunkenness, but a cruel smile was already evident. "The rats we've searched for so long—finally jumping out on their own this time!"
Playing hide-and-seek with those guys had been truly tiresome.
But now they seemed ready to proactively stand forth and attack.
"All along their attitude has been avoiding direct confrontation with us, hiding while building strength. Now they're attempting to launch an offensive. I think they must have something to rely on!"
The Beasts Pirates' number two, King the Conflagration, didn't share Kaido's excitement. Rather, he said somewhat worriedly, "Those guys have always had connections with that bastard Brett. Kaido-san, could it be—has Brett arrived?"
"So what if that bastard Brett came?!"
Kaido suddenly roared angrily. "Should I flee with my tail between my legs now?!"
King fell silent.
Yes—should they choose to flee just from hearing Brett's name, without even seeing him?
Impossible. If they did that, Kaido-san wouldn't be Kaido-san anymore.
Moreover, Wano was special.
This nation was Pluton's burial site. Kaido-san would absolutely never let go.
Then—
Only one choice remained!
"I'll summon all our forces!"
King said seriously.
"Excellent!"
Kaido laughed, clapping King's shoulder. "Just like every time before, follow behind me, King!"
"This time I'll still lead you to victory! Just like every time before!"
"Yes!"
King nodded solemnly.
He turned and departed.
So what if the enemy was Brett? Kaido-san absolutely wouldn't lose!
King thought this.
He was the man who would become Joy Boy!
Wano was rather vast. Accommodating the samurai, Brett walked with them, taking two days to finally reach their destination—the outskirts of Habu Port.
After waiting here briefly, the other force also arrived.
"Sorry for the wait!!"
Kyoshiro had already removed the topknot used for disguise. His hairstyle had returned to a dashing ponytail.
The squinted eyes he'd used to conceal his gaze were now completely open, revealing eyes blazing with hot, flame-spewing fervor.
Behind him followed roughly over a thousand ronin samurai.
"We've been waiting for you, Denjiro!"
Nekomamushi stepped forward, affectionately pounding his chest with a fist.
"Been waiting for this moment."
Inuarashi took a deep breath.
How long had they waited?
"Yes."
Denjiro nodded emphatically. "Then let's wait no longer!"
"Move out!!"
Yamato shouted loudly. "Toward Onigashima!"
After the two forces merged, they directly attacked Habu Port. Next they'd seize ships, then head to Onigashima.
But seizing ships proved unexpectedly smooth. After entering Habu Port, they encountered absolutely no resistance. Several empty large ships now docked at the port.
"Eh? What's going on?"
Yamato tilted her head in confusion. "Did some mission make the guards leave?"
Tesoro snorted lightly. "Isn't it obvious? It's an invitation."
"Invitation?"
Yamato froze, then exclaimed, "Does that mean our movements have been exposed?!"
"Doesn't matter."
Brett grinned widely. "Since Kaido's already issued an invitation, we can't fail to respond!"
"Board the ships! Then go grant Kaido complete defeat!"
"Ohhh!!"
Yes—what was there to hesitate about now? So what if they'd been exposed?
At worst, a surprise attack had just become direct confrontation!
Everyone boarded. Several large ships set sail, crushing the waves, heading toward Onigashima.
Brett's group stood at the bow of the leading ship. Wano's inland sea was rather wide. They couldn't yet see Onigashima's silhouette.
Brett noticed—Yamato standing beside him kept biting her lip lightly.
"What's wrong? Thinking about facing Kaido—feeling hesitant?"
Brett asked.
"..."
Yamato fell silent briefly. "Brett, I know Father's a bastard who should be defeated. But..."
"I see."
Brett nodded.
Hesitation was normal.
About to fight her father to the death—remaining calm would be stranger.
"If you're hesitant, ask Kaido afterward."
Brett said calmly. "He should give you an answer."
Yamato took a deep breath, then nodded emphatically.
The ship continued forward.
Soon, at the distant horizon's end, an island's silhouette faintly began emerging.
A skull-shaped island with sharp twin horns.
"That's Kaido's lair?"
Tesoro evaluated with interest. "Quite imposing!"
This design clearly indicated a formidable individual resided there.
The samurai had already drawn their weapons one after another. Every expression had tightened.
The enemy they'd dreamed of defeating for over a decade resided on that island ahead!
The war to liberate the entire nation that they'd yearned for day and night—would begin momentarily!
The ship continued forward.
Eventually they could clearly see the sea ahead was completely empty—not a single ship.
But further on, Onigashima's shore was now packed densely with pirates.
Cannons had long been aimed this direction.
"Seems we're being welcomed with a landing battle."
Tesoro said casually.
Brett observed the pirates on the distant shore. "Looks like all the Beasts Pirates' forces have assembled here."
The densely packed numbers had definitely exceeded ten thousand.
He could even faintly see several massive figures further back.
If the Beasts Pirates still held reserves, that would be unrealistic.
"Worororororo!!"
Loud laughter rang out.
A massive, elongated monster flew from Onigashima's skull eye sockets, soaring directly skyward.
"Brett!! Get out here!!"
Oh, quite impolite—king versus king right from the start?